Need Help Finding the Right Type of Church

gloriainexcelsisdeo · Jan 4, 2019

I was gonna become Catholic but I'm not sure. Certainly some of these things are required at the Church itself, (confession, real presence of Christ in Communion, and Trinitarian baptism) what denomination am I do you think?

Here's what I believe for certain (besides stuff all Christians believe):

That we are saved by faith but that true faith involves an attempt to be holy.

That Christ instituted one Church, of spme manner that is also Holy, Catholic (universal), and Apostolic.

There are some sort of oral traditions (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

Baptism must be done in the name of the Father, and The Son, and the Holy Spirit. For the forgiveness of sins.

Christ is present in the Eucharist/communion.

Marriage is between one man and one woman.

Abortion is wrong.

We are to confess our sins to a pastor

That scripture is not to be interpreted by ourselves.

Women can't be pastors or priests. Pastors or priests are allowed to marry.

People still speak in tongues. Though it is not required, encouraged, and does not have authority over the Church

God alone is authority for faith.

Things I'm pretty sure of:

The apocrypha are scripture.

We are to pray to God alone.

Mary is not sinless

Mary did not remain a virgin

Mary is in heaven

Apostolic Succession

Worship is on Sunday

Baptism is once in a lifetime

Chris V++ · Jan 4, 2019

I probably won't be much help since I don't have a denomination, but you seem to be maybe 70% Catholic 30% Protestant / Evangelical. Catholics can also worship on Saturday, and believe in the perpetual virginity of Mary. Charismatic Catholics practice tongues. Brace yourself for the forthcoming onslaught.

(Welcome to CF)

gloriainexcelsisdeo · Jan 4, 2019

Chris V++ said:
I probably won't be much help since I don't have a denomination, but you seem to be maybe 70% Catholic 30% Protestant / Evangelical. Catholics can also worship on Saturday, and believe in the perpetual virginity of Mary. Charismatic Catholics practice tongues. Brace yourself for the forthcoming onslaught. (Welcome to CF)

I know they can. I'm mainly troubled by the marian dogmas, the papacy (I stopped believing that Matthew 16:18-19 means that). I'm thinking I might become Lutheran but they still don't seem right, but at least they have much correct. I also don't believe priests can't marry because peter married.

Chris V++ · Jan 4, 2019

How to you feel about praying to saints for intercession and using icons in prayer?

RaymondG · Jan 4, 2019

It might be easier to start your own church, put your statements of faith in the rule book, and have people join you.....

gloriainexcelsisdeo · Jan 4, 2019

I feel that prayer to the saints is unbiblical because Christ is our only mediator. I do not think icons are always wrong but I don't think they are useful and thus can only be used neutrally or wrongly

Chris V++ · Jan 4, 2019

gloriainexcelsisdeo said:
I feel that prayer to the saints is unbiblical because Christ is our only mediator. I do not think icons are always wrong but I don't think they are useful and thus can only be used neutrally or wrongly

Ok now you're maybe 60% Catholic 40% Protestant /Evangelical

Chris V++ · Jan 4, 2019

It might help you to learn how the various denominations feel about you as you are right now. Would you describe yourself as being 'born again' or 'regenerated?'

gloriainexcelsisdeo · Jan 4, 2019

I view myself on a journey towards Christian living. Also, I think I'm born again

Chris V++ said:
It might help you to learn how the various denominations feel about you as you are right now. Would you describe yourself as being 'born again' or 'regenerated?'

Paidiske · Jan 4, 2019

I'd say you'd fit as an Anglican except for refusing the ordination of women. Perhaps one of the groups which broke off from the global Anglican communion over that issue might suit you?

PloverWing · Jan 4, 2019

Welcome to CF! :wave:

I don't know that any group fits you exactly, but I recommend considering Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, one of the Anglican groups that broke off from the Episcopal Church, and maybe a conservative Lutheran group like LCMS or WELS.

Chris V++ · Jan 4, 2019

gloriainexcelsisdeo said:
God alone is authority for faith.

How does God express His authority? Is it thru scripture, or thru tradition and teachings of the apostles handed down, or both?

gloriainexcelsisdeo · Jan 4, 2019

Chris V++ said:
How does God express His authority? Is it thru scripture, or thru tradition and teachings of the apostles handed down, or both?

Both

Chris V++ · Jan 4, 2019

I would say Anglican too. Just remember, every Christian meets some other Christian's criteria of a heretic.

DaveM · Jan 4, 2019

I was Catholic my whole life until 3 years ago I left the church.

I started reading the bible, and saw to many things that catholics do that dont line up with the word.

THe worst thing for me was thinking some priest could forgive my sins, and realize confession to a preist doesnt do anything, we must repent to God in Heaven in the name of Jesus.

Catholics doctrine does not line up with the bible, I suggest reading the bible and look for a bible church

gloriainexcelsisdeo · Jan 4, 2019

DaveM said:
I was Catholic my whole life until 3 years ago I left the church.

I started reading the bible, and saw to many things that catholics do that dont line up with the word.

THe worst thing for me was thinking some priest could forgive my sins, and realize confession to a preist doesnt do anything, we must repent to God in Heaven in the name of Jesus.

Catholics doctrine does not line up with the bible, I suggest reading the bible and look for a bible church

[Jesus] said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” Thomas.
John 20:21‭-‬23 NABRE

The thing about bible churches is that most Christian churches believe they teach the bible but not all of them can. Really, the term "bible church" doesn't make it any more likely to teach biblical doctrine. Thousands of churches believe they teach biblical doctrine

HTacianas · Jan 4, 2019

gloriainexcelsisdeo said:
I was gonna become Catholic but I'm not sure. Certainly some of these things are required at the Church itself, (confession, real presence of Christ in Communion, and Trinitarian baptism) what denomination am I do you think?

Here's what I believe for certain (besides stuff all Christians believe):

That we are saved by faith but that true faith involves an attempt to be holy.

That Christ instituted one Church, of spme manner that is also Holy, Catholic (universal), and Apostolic.

There are some sort of oral traditions (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

Baptism must be done in the name of the Father, and The Son, and the Holy Spirit. For the forgiveness of sins.

Christ is present in the Eucharist/communion.

Marriage is between one man and one woman.

Abortion is wrong.

We are to confess our sins to a pastor

That scripture is not to be interpreted by ourselves.

Women can't be pastors or priests. Pastors or priests are allowed to marry.

People still speak in tongues. Though it is not required, encouraged, and does not have authority over the Church

God alone is authority for faith.

Things I'm pretty sure of:

The apocrypha are scripture.

We are to pray to God alone.

Mary is not sinless

Mary did not remain a virgin

Mary is in heaven

Apostolic Succession

Worship is on Sunday

Baptism is once in a lifetime

The Orthodox Church was founded in Jerusalem circa 33 AD and has maintained and preserved the faith delivered to the saints for its entire history.

Radagast · Jan 4, 2019

gloriainexcelsisdeo said:
I was gonna become Catholic but I'm not sure. Certainly some of these things are required at the Church itself, (confession, real presence of Christ in Communion, and Trinitarian baptism) what denomination am I do you think?

Much of what you say is widely accepted. Some is not.

gloriainexcelsisdeo said:
Christ is present in the Eucharist/communion.

Depends what you mean by "present." Physically? Spiritually? Metaphysically? Symbolically? In some mysterious way we don't understand?

Looking at your complete list, nobody seems to fit exactly. The closest might be the Anglican Church in North America or some other conservative Anglican group (edit: or a conservative Lutheran group like LCMS or WELS, as @PloverWing suggests).

The fact that nobody seems to fit exactly suggests that you need to rethink parts of your list, in the light of what the Bible says.

Just_a_Christian · Jan 4, 2019

DaveM said:
I was Catholic my whole life until 3 years ago I left the church.

I started reading the bible, and saw to many things that catholics do that dont line up with the word.

THe worst thing for me was thinking some priest could forgive my sins, and realize confession to a preist doesnt do anything, we must repent to God in Heaven in the name of Jesus.

Catholics doctrine does not line up with the bible, I suggest reading the bible and look for a bible church

I agree sir, it is my belief that the catholic church is the new testament church apostate.

Albion · Jan 4, 2019

Gloria, I think what Paidiske said above is on target, except that private confession is uncommon and I also noted the comment about the Apocrypha which is read for instruction but is not considered to be inspired and suitable for defining any doctrine.

I really doubt that there is any other branch of Christianity that would be closer to you.

Take a look at this Wikipedia page
Continuing Anglican movement - Wikipedia

and see what you think. I would be pleased to field any questions you might have.

Need Help Finding the Right Type of Church

Member

Associate Member

Member

Associate Member

Well-Known Member

Member

Associate Member

Associate Member

Member

Clara bonam audax

Episcopalian

Associate Member

Member

Associate Member

Active Member

Member

Well-Known Member

comes and goes

Active Member

Facilitator

Similar threads